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Board of Directors

Compassion, Commitment, Leadership

VON Canada’s Board brings together leaders in the fields of health care, nursing, management, finance, law, human resources and information technology. With decades of volunteer service in communities across Canada, they understand the health and social concerns facing Canadians today. Throughout their careers, many have actively advocated for a stronger health care system in our country. And they all share a passion for helping others and making a difference.

We rely on their guidance for moving VON Canada forward in its mission of building a healthier society for all Canadians.

Gary Ursell

Chair, Board of Directors

Driven by his belief in giving back, Gary Ursell has supported many charitable causes as a volunteer and philanthropist throughout his career. As a Board Director and Board Chair, he has guided non-profit organizations through periods of significant change. In addition to serving on the VON Canada Board since 2012, Gary was a member of the Board and chaired the VON Toronto-York Community Corporation Board from 2007 to 2012. In the past, he also contributed his time and expertise to the Toronto City Mission and Timothy Eaton Memorial Church, among others.

Driven by his belief in giving back, Gary Ursell has supported many charitable causes as a volunteer and philanthropist throughout his career. As a Board Director and Board Chair, he has guided non-profit organizations through periods of significant change. In addition to serving on the VON Canada Board since 2012, Gary was a member of the Board and chaired the VON Toronto-York Community Corporation Board from 2007 to 2012. In the past, he also contributed his time and expertise to the Toronto City Mission and Timothy Eaton Memorial Church, among others.

Gary is a Vice President and Investment Advisor with RBC Dominion Securities in Toronto, where his team works with 200 families primarily based in Ontario but also spread around the globe. His clients also include not-for-profit organizations in a variety of sectors, including health care and the arts.

Gary grew up in Winnipeg and in 1966, joined James Richardson and Sons Limited in the securities area. He worked there, part-time and full-time, while pursuing his studies at the University of Manitoba. Gary graduated in 1971, earning a BA in history and economics. Moving to Toronto in 1972, he joined Richardson’s Institutional Equity Trading Desk and later its Institutional Equity Sales Desk. Prior to accepting his current role in 1993, Gary worked with Richardson Greenshields’ Government Finance Department for 20 years, assisting Canadian governments to borrow funds all over the world.

Gary is a Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute, the highest honour in Canadian financial services, which recognizes an elite group of professionals for their leadership, integrity, commitment and dedication to their clients and industry.

Dafna Carr

Dafna brings more than 20 years of success in driving high-profile, high-impact change initiatives to her role at VON. Currently, she is the ‎Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the Children, Youth and Social Services Information and Information Technology (I&IT) Cluster at the Ontario Public Service. As CIO, she leads the delivery of I&IT services, policies and practices to the Ministry of Children and Youth Services (MCYS) and the Ministry of Community and Social Services (MCSS), supporting more than 6,000 staff across the two ministries and several provincial agencies.

Dafna brings more than 20 years of success in driving high-profile, high-impact change initiatives to her role at VON. Currently, she is the ‎Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the Children, Youth and Social Services Information and Information Technology (I&IT) Cluster at the Ontario Public Service. As CIO, she leads the delivery of I&IT services, policies and practices to the Ministry of Children and Youth Services (MCYS) and the Ministry of Community and Social Services (MCSS), supporting more than 6,000 staff across the two ministries and several provincial agencies.

Prior to her current role, Dafna was the Executive Lead for Health System Performance, Quality Improvement at Health Quality Ontario, where she developed a strategy for advancing online public reporting. Over her career, she also held executive positions at Cancer Care Ontario, the University Health Network and Gamma-Dynacare Laboratories.

Dafna is a graduate of the Rotman Advanced Health Leadership Program and earned her MBA from York University and a BA in Political Science from Western University (formerly the University of Western Ontario). In recognition of her achievements, she has received two Canadian Information Productivity Awards, a Gold Award from the Institute of Public Administration of Canada and the Ministry of Health ACE (Achievement, Commitment and Excellence) Award.

Before joining the VON Canada Board, Dafna served on the Board’s Quality, Risk Committee and Client Safety Committee and its Information Technology Advisory Group.

Peter Currie

Peter Currie has more than 40 years of experience in the consumer packaged goods, technology, financial services and nuclear energy industries. He currently serves as a Commissioner with the Ontari...read more

Peter Currie has more than 40 years of experience in the consumer packaged goods, technology, financial services and nuclear energy industries. He currently serves as a Commissioner with the Ontario Securities Commission, which is responsible for the oversight of the financial and capital markets and the enforcement of securities laws in the province of Ontario. He was most recently Chair of the Board of Directors of ViXS Systems Inc. and prior to that Chair of the Board of Directors of Atomic Energy Company of Canada, Limited. He has extensive experience in all areas of finance, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, and operational strategy in Canada, the United States, and internationally. He served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Nortel Networks Limited and Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of Royal Bank of Canada.

Peter has served on a number of public, private and not for profit boards of directors, including: Canadian Tire Corporation; Intelius Inc.; Affinion Group Inc.; Symcor Ltd.; York University; York University Development Corp.; Atomic Energy of Canada Limited; The C.D. Howe Institute; and Toronto East General Hospital. He currently serves on the board of Kemptville District Hospital.

Peter holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours Economics) and M.B.A. from York University and is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors.

Cyndy De Giusti

Cyndy De Giusti brings extensive leadership expertise in health care, marketing and communications as well as wide-ranging board experience to VON Canada. Most recently, she provided senior communications counsel to the Ontario Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth, University Health Network, CAMH Foundation, Toronto East General Hospital, Canadian Hearing Society and Toronto Centre Local Health Integration Network (LHIN).

Cyndy De Giusti brings extensive leadership expertise in health care, marketing and communications as well as wide-ranging board experience to VON Canada. Most recently, she provided senior communications counsel to the Ontario Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth, University Health Network, CAMH Foundation, Toronto East General Hospital, Canadian Hearing Society and Toronto Centre Local Health Integration Network (LHIN).

Cyndy began her career as a journalist and advanced into senior management positions with major communications consultancies, before her appointment as Vice President of Stentor, the alliance of the nine major provincial telephone companies. Subsequently, she joined The Hospital for Sick Children as Vice President, Child Advocacy and Vice President, Communications for the Hospital’s Foundation. She also was as Senior Vice President, Public Affairs, for Capital Health in Edmonton, Chief Communications Officer for Trillium Health Centre, and Vice President, Communications at St. Michael’s Hospital in downtown Toronto.

Since the late 1980s, Cyndy has served on volunteer Boards and contributed to many Board committees, including Human Resources, Fundraising, Communications and Governance. In addition to the International Association of Business Communicators, she has volunteered her time and counsel to the boards and committees of many health care organizations, including St. John Ambulance Ontario, the Orthopedic and Arthritic Hospital Toronto, the Ontario Hospital Association, the Council of Academic Hospitals of Ontario, Dorothy Ley Hospice, Kinark Child and Family Services and the Kinark Foundation.

Estelle Jacquemard

Estelle is a bilingual executive with an extensive experience in leading global corporate services in Canada and in Europe.

She's currently the Director, Operations Management at Shopify...read more

Estelle is a bilingual executive with an extensive experience in leading global corporate services in Canada and in Europe.

Estelle serves on the Board of Directors of VON Canada. In previous years, she served as a Board Director and Chair of the Governance and Human Resources committee of Digital Nova Scotia. She was also the Treasurer and Chair of the Audit and Finance committee of Techsploration in Halifax.

Prior to her current role, Estelle was Chief Operating Officer at Santé Montfort, where she managed a large portfolio of commercial services and overviewed the partnership with the Department of National Defense for the Canadian Forces Health Services Centre in Ottawa.

Estelle also worked as General Manager and Corporate Secretary at Longtail Studios Inc. She was responsible for overseeing the company's worldwide operations, as well as managing all global corporate functions. She led and managed the acquisition and the subsequent integration of Longtail Studios Quebec Inc. and Longtail Studios Halifax Inc. by Ubisoft Entertainment Inc.

She started her career in France with the National Center for Scientific Research as a Research Engineer, leading software development project for the Atomic Energy Commission.

Estelle holds a Chartered Professional Accountant designation with CPA Canada and a Certified Management Accountant designation from the Society of Management Accountants of Nova Scotia.

She also holds a Master in Business Administration from Saint Mary's University in Nova Scotia as well as a D.E.S.S. in Computer Science and a Master of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Nancy in France.

Pete Larocque

Pete Larocque is Managing Partner for CoreTracks, a management consulting firm that provides consulting services to the Federal Government across Canada. Pete is responsible for business development, sales, recruiting, and administration.

Pete Larocque is Managing Partner for CoreTracks, a management consulting firm that provides consulting services to the Federal Government across Canada. Pete is responsible for business development, sales, recruiting, and administration.

Prior to CoreTracks, Pete was the managing partner of Business Valuation Canada, which provided commercial valuations and advice on mergers and acquisitions to organizations across Canada, the northern US and California. Previously, Pete managed the Canadian operations of a telecommunications test and measurement company and worked for more than 15 years in the public sector managing information systems and information technology initiatives.

Pete’s community involvement began with his first summer job with ARC Industries, an employment workshop for individuals with developmental disabilities. He has served on a number of non-profit Boards, including most recently the Kemptville District Hospital, the Caring and Sharing Exchange, the Canadian Special Olympics 2000 Winter Games, the Sunshine Foundation of Canada, and the South Nepean Youth Organization, which he co-founded.

Pete earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Queen’s University and is a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA).

Amy K. Lee

Amy Lee is a Certified Health Executive, a Canadian Certified Risk Manager and a Risk Fellow, with extensive expertise in project management, change management, quality improvement, and care delivery models. Currently, Amy is Director, Administration and Operations for Youth Opportunities Unlimited, where she leads agency-wide operations and the adoption of best practices for administration and operations.

Amy Lee is a Certified Health Executive, a Canadian Certified Risk Manager and a Risk Fellow, with extensive expertise in project management, change management, quality improvement, and care delivery models. Currently, Amy is Director, Administration and Operations for Youth Opportunities Unlimited, where she leads agency-wide operations and the adoption of best practices for administration and operations.

Prior to this, Amy provided project management and consulting services to the Alzheimer Society of Ontario for “Finding Your Way” – a project that provides information to people with dementia, their families and the public in four languages (Punjabi, Chinese, French and English).

Earlier in her career, Amy devoted more than 10 years to the London Health Sciences Centre in London, Ontario, where she advanced from Tactical Manager of Musculoskeletal and Rehabilitation Programs to become Director, Patient Safety and Corporate Risk. Before this, she served as Project Manager, Organization Redesign for St. Joseph’s Health Centre, where she planned and created a new patient-focused care delivery model.

Amy earned her MBA from Western University and her Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy) from the University of Toronto. Committed to community and the health care sector, she has long volunteered for several organizations. These include serving as President (since 2013) and as a Board Member (since 2010) of the VON Middlesex-Elgin Community Corporation.

Marilyn Macdonald

Dr. Marilyn Macdonald is a Professor and Associate Director of Graduate Studies in the School of Nursing (SoN) at Dalhousie University. Her background is in clinical nursing and includes general su...read more

Dr. Marilyn Macdonald is a Professor and Associate Director of Graduate Studies in the School of Nursing (SoN) at Dalhousie University. Her background is in clinical nursing and includes general surgery, cardio-vascular surgery, public-health nursing, home care, and a decade as a clinical nurse specialist.

She established a program of research focused on patient safety and homecare and was a member of the research team for the Pan-Canadian Safety at Home Study. She is Director of the Joanna Briggs Institute Centre of Excellence in Systematic reviews in the SoN and a certified reviewer.

Marilyn is also the theme lead for transitions in care with the Canadian Frailty Network (CFN), a National Centres of Excellence research conglomerate devoted to generating evidence to drive optimal care for the frail elderly in Canada.

Alison McKay

Alison McKay is CEO of the Saskatchewan Healthcare Employees’ Pension Plan (SHEPP), the largest defined benefit pension plan in Saskatchewan, serving 61 employers and more than 54,000 healthcare employees. She is responsible for the effective operation of the plan and works with the SHEPP Board to establish its strategic direction.

Alison McKay is CEO of the Saskatchewan Healthcare Employees’ Pension Plan (SHEPP), the largest defined benefit pension plan in Saskatchewan, serving 61 employers and more than 54,000 healthcare employees. She is responsible for the effective operation of the plan and works with the SHEPP Board to establish its strategic direction.

Alison joined SHEPP as Operations Manager in 2008 and advanced to become Director of Finance and Administration and then Chief Financial Officer before her promotion to CEO in 2013. She played key roles in developing the organization’s strategic plan, in re-aligning its finance and investment functions to include a third-party investment review, and in streamlining processes to reduce costs. Prior to joining SHEPP, Alison worked as Finance Manager for SaskTel.

Alison has a BA in Mathematics and a Bachelor’s in Administration from the University of Regina. She also completed the Berkeley Executive Leadership Program and earned Certificates from Foundations of Trust Management Standards and Pension Plan Administrators. She is a Certified Professional Accountant, a Certified Management Accountant and a member of several professional associations.

Malcolm Mercer

Malcolm Mercer is a partner in McCarthy Tétrault’s Litigation Group with over thirty years in practice. He acts as McCarthy Tétrault’s General Counsel and is the former co-leader of the firm’s National Litigation Practice. He maintains a civil litigation practice, specializing in commercial and corporate matters and professional negligence.

Malcolm Mercer is a partner in McCarthy Tétrault’s Litigation Group with over thirty years in practice. He acts as McCarthy Tétrault’s General Counsel and is the former co-leader of the firm’s National Litigation Practice. He maintains a civil litigation practice, specializing in commercial and corporate matters and professional negligence.

Malcolm sits on the bench of the Law Society of Upper Canada and chairs its Professional Regulation Committee. He received his Bachelor of Applied Science in systems design engineering in 1977 and his Bachelor of Laws in 1982. He was called to the Ontario bar in 1984.

Malcolm is the past chair of the Ethics and Professional Responsibility Committee of the Canadian Bar Association (CBA), was a member of the CBA Task Force on Conflicts of Interest and is a member of the National Committee on Accreditation of the Federation of Law Societies of Canada. He is also a director of Pro Bono Law Ontario and a member of the Governing Council of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association.

Jim Merkley

Jim Merkley recently retired as the Interim CEO of the Cape Breton District Health Authority, where he also served as Vice President, Operations for ten years. In this role, he oversaw finance and human resources for this $250 million integrated health care organization and was active in the provincial restructuring of all health districts in Nova Scotia. Prior to this, Jim served as a senior executive in health organizations in Manitoba, British Columbia and Ontario, including as President and CEO of the Brockville General Hospital.

Jim Merkley recently retired as the Interim CEO of the Cape Breton District Health Authority, where he also served as Vice President, Operations for ten years. In this role, he oversaw finance and human resources for this $250 million integrated health care organization and was active in the provincial restructuring of all health districts in Nova Scotia. Prior to this, Jim served as a senior executive in health organizations in Manitoba, British Columbia and Ontario, including as President and CEO of the Brockville General Hospital.

Throughout his career, Jim has actively volunteered on the Boards of several non-profit organizations, most recently as Board Vice Chair and Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee of the Parkinson Society Maritime Region. A committed Rotarian, Jim has just completed his term as President of the Rotary Club of Sydney.

Jim is a graduate of the University of Ottawa’s Masters in Health Administration program and is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA). He and his wife, Wyneth, live on beautiful Cape Breton Island where he runs, plays the fiddle and advocates for increased public awareness around climate change.

John Peddle

John Peddle is Principal Consultant and owner of AMP Associates (88) Ltd., which provides consulting services in industrial relations, human resources and other areas. Prior to this, John served as Executive Director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Health Boards Association (NLHBA) for more than 13 years and as the association’s Director of Labour Relations for nearly 20 years. In these roles, John provided advice to the Boards of the Regional Health Authorities (members of the Association) and served as an advisor to the Department of Health and Community Services.

John Peddle is Principal Consultant and owner of AMP Associates (88) Ltd., which provides consulting services in industrial relations, human resources and other areas. Prior to this, John served as Executive Director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Health Boards Association (NLHBA) for more than 13 years and as the association’s Director of Labour Relations for nearly 20 years. In these roles, John provided advice to the Boards of the Regional Health Authorities (members of the Association) and served as an advisor to the Department of Health and Community Services.

John also gained extensive experience and a deep understanding of provincial and national health systems by serving as the NLHBA’s representative on the board of the Canadian Healthcare Association (CHA). He also represented the CHA on the Physician Human Resource Strategy for Canada (Task Force Two) and on other national committees.

John was a founding member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Employees Council (NLEC) and served on its board for 30 years, including as chair, director and chair of several committees. Since 2010, he has been a member of the Workers Compensation Board, where he chairs the Governance Committee and serves on three other committees.

John graduated from Memorial University with Bachelor of Commerce in 1971 and has since completed many courses in Hospital Administration. He is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors.

Prior to this, Monique was Vice-President Operations and Chief Financial Officer for the Canadian Cancer Society, where she guided the development and implementation of the Society’s strategic plan and its annual business plans and budgets. She supported the finance, human resources, information technology and risk management portfolios and was the management leader for the Finance Committee of the Board and the Investment and Pension Advisory Committee.

Earlier in her career, Monique was the Vice-President, Financial and Information Systems at Halton Healthcare Service, and also worked for the Georgetown and District Memorial Hospital, Madison Chemical Industries Inc., M&T Harshaw Canada and Price Waterhouse. She currently volunteers on the Boards of Directors for Hospice Wellington and the Residences at St. Andrews Georgetown Corporation.

Monique earned her Honours Bachelor of Commerce from Laurentian University and is a Chartered Accountant. She is a member of the Women’s Executive Network, Financial Executives International and CPA Ontario.

Lynn Power

Lynn Power is Executive Director of the Association of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador. She also sits on the provincial Telehealth, HealthLine and the Personal Health Information Act Steering Committees and is an adjunct professor at Memorial University’s School of Nursing.

Lynn Power is Executive Director of the Association of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador. She also sits on the provincial Telehealth, HealthLine and the Personal Health Information Act Steering Committees and is an adjunct professor at Memorial University’s School of Nursing.

In addition, Lynn is actively involved in several coalitions dedicated to advancing public policy in areas such as promoting breastfeeding, ending tobacco use, banning the use of cosmetic pesticides, improving services to seniors, and enhancing community-based mental health services.

Lynn was a member of the Board of the VON St. John’s Community Corporation for seven years and served as Board Chair for three years. In 1982, she completed her Diploma in Nursing at the General Hospital School of Nursing. Lynn obtained her Bachelor of Nursing degree in 1996 and her Master’s degree in 2001 at Memorial University in Newfoundland.

Accreditation

Accreditation Canada is an independent, not-for-profit organization that consults with experts to develop health care standards based on best practices. They accredit a wide range of health care and social services providers, including hospitals, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, clinics, and community health programs. Accreditation Canada has been helping providers improve health care quality and safety for more than 55 years.